Our International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) accredited laboratory offers identification and cell counts for marine water. Operating since 1993, our microalgae laboratory provides early warning of risks associated with toxic marine species at over 110 sites around the coast of New Zealand.

Microalgae monitoring

Microalgae monitoring can reduce the need for shellfish testing in approved regional programmes, and provides key information to authorities responsible for the safety of recreational shellfish gathering.

We also offer molecular techniques to accurately identify potentially toxic algae. If you have particular requirements for phytoplankton testing, we are happy to discuss them with you.

Research and consultancy services for aquaculture

In collaboration with other Cawthron researchers, we provide a complete service to customers concerned about an algae bloom that may be threatening their waterways or export products.

Our experts can work with you to identify the species concerned, monitor the situation, assess the impact on the environment, and design a monitoring program to manage those risks. This service is available for both farmed and wild species. We also assist with additional training for laboratory staff who are analysing water samples for any toxic species on a routine basis.

Operating since 1993, the Cawthron microalgae laboratory provides early warning of risks associated with toxic species, and provides key information to councils monitoring freshwater lakes, rivers and drinking water supplies for public health purposes.

We also offer molecular techniques to accurately identify potentially toxic algae. If you have particular requirements for phytoplankton testing, we are happy to discuss them with you.

Freshwater toxin analysis

Using fast and reliable Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) instrumentation, we can test for the presence of toxins generated by microalgae in water samples. Our instrumentation methods can detect the following natural toxins in fresh water: